Hi there,
I feel a bit silly posting this, but that's what this site is for, right?
I have had 'borderline' high blood pressure for years, but usually it's not quite high enough for meds - usually 135/85, or 140/90. Recently, it had gone up (150/100), and they decided to put me on medication.
I have ALOT of sensitivities/allergies to drugs, so I didn't want to take the meds. Instead I changed my diet, calmed down about things, and exercised. I got the bp back down to the 130's/80's - something my doctor said he'd live with.
However, with the holidays approaching, I've been eating out more, not exercising...and I just felt awful today. Hot - like a hot flash, feeling like I was burning up, tired, etc. My bp was 138/98. I know these aren't great numbers, but they are not the highest either. Didn't matter - I started to panic, worry that I should take the meds...thinking, "what if it goes higher?...or "what if I have a stroke?" or "what if the meds make me really sick?"
I should be more worried about long term damage, and not immediate danger, which I know I'm not in. I feel like a big, ridiculous baby. So many people have high bp,and they just take their meds, it's that simple.
My mom is a nurse, and she preaches to me about this, but she's rather dramatic, and only makes me feel worse. God, I catch a cold, she thinks I'll die. No wonder I'm anxious! She thinks anyone with high BP is a walking stroke, which is not necessarily true.
Does anyone else have high blood pressure? What are your numbers?...do you worry about it?
I did try another medication before, and it made me feel so terrible.
Any advice would be appreciated. I'll watch the salt, and exercise, but that takes time. I guess if the bp doesn't drop, I should bite the bullet and take the meds.
I sound nuts..I know I do. But thanks for any advice you have to offer.
Megan